Composite shingle

ABSTRACT

A composite roofing shingle includes a rectangular sheet having a butt portion which is divided into spacedapart tabs and an elongated strip which is secured to the butt portion underlying at least one of the tabs. In a first embodiment, the elongated strip is interwoven with successive tabs; in a second embodiment, the tabs are spaced apart from each other at a distance approximating their widths and the strip is secured to the sheet in a position underlying the tabs and filling the spaces therebetween.

United States Patent Bettoli 51 Nov. 25, 1975 [5 1 COMPOSITE SHINGLE1,870,414 8/1932 Levin 52/559 1,873,944 8/1932 Black 52/559 [75]inventor. Ph1ll1p S. Bettoll, Mart1nv11le, NJ. 2170010 8/1939 Scheutz et8L 52/599 73 Assigneez GAF Corporation, New York 2,194,427 3/1940Kirschbraun 52/420 2,199,760 5/1940 Scheutz 52/599 [22] Filed: Nov. 15,1974 [21] Appl. No.: 524,158 Primary Examiner-Henry C. SutherlandRelated U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 882,654, Dec. 5,1969, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 644,296, June 7,1967, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 52/314; 52/419; 52/555; 52/557 [51] Int. Cl. E04D l/26;EO4D H36 [58] Field of Search 52/311, 314, 419, 420, 52/454-459 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,531,151 6/1921 Steele 52/5591,593,096 7/1926 Munro 52/557 Attorney, Agent, or FirmPennie & Edmonds[57] ABSTRACT A composite roofing shingle includes a rectangular sheethaving a butt portion which is divided into spacedapart tabs and anelongated strip which is secured to the butt portion underlying at leastone of the tabs. in a first embodiment, the elongated strip isinterwoven with successive tabs; in a second embodiment, the tabs arespaced apart from each other at a distance approximating their widthsand the strip is secured to the sheet in a position underlying the tabsand filling the spaces therebetween.

22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet10f43,921,358

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet20f4 3,921,358

FIG. 2A

Sheet 3 of 4 3,921,358

U..S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet40f4 3,921,358

COMPOSITE SHINGLE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is acontinuation, Ser. No. 882,654, filed Dec. 5, 1969, now abandoned whichis continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 644,296, filed Jun. 7, 1967, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a roofing shingleand, more particularly, to a weather-resistant compositeasphaltimpregnated roofing shingle and a method for manufacturing theshingle.

Roofing shingles comprising felt or fabric stock impregnated withasphalt and covered with colored mineral granules are well known.Heretofore they have served as relatively inexpensive alternatives totile, slate and wood roofing shingles. Although asphalt shingles arefire-resistant, give good protection and are durable, theirsubstantially planar appearance has made them less pleasing to the eyeand less imposing than their more expensive counterparts.

Asphalt shingles having areas of different colors have not beensuccessfully made heretofore with a sharp vertical line of demarcationbetween the colors because the normal method of distributing the coloredgranules results in a transitional area between colors. Thus they do notpresent the sharply defined variegation of colors which is possible withabutting wooden shingles. Further, the application of excess granulesand the subsequent removal and reuse of the unembedded granules oftenresults in undesirable mixtures of granules sizes and colors. Due tothis uncontrolled variation in surface texture and color, unsightly offcolor areas which are caused either by color differences or bydifferences in the light reflective characteristics of granules ofdifferent sizes imbedded in the shingle may appear at random on theshingle surface.

Asphalt shingles heretofore available are at a competitive disadvantagewith the more expensive roofing shingles because they lack theirregular, bulky. butt edge profile and surface contour which ischaracteristic of roofs of wood shingles. Additionally, the installationof conventional asphalt shingles is tedious and time consuming becausesuch shingles are applied in a regular pattern which requires precisealignment of adjacent courses. Particular care must be taken in theproper alignment of conventional shingles when the roof deck includes adormer or a chimney because shingles at either side of the dormer mustmeet at its vertex and be disposed uniformly upwardly on the deck to theridge of the roof; also, such shingles must fit in a manner whichenables the proper alignment of cutouts in the courses above the dormer.Finally, the shingles at the ends of each course of shingles must be cutto conform with the edge of the roof deck. Frequently, the projectingexcess portion of a conventional shingle is not severed at the cut-outspace between adjacent tabs with the result that in most instances suchexcess portion must be discarded or trimmed to eliminate the fractionaltab. The wastage involved increases costs and the trimming proceduresare unduly timeconsuming.

Many futile attempts have been made in the prior art to provide asphaltshingles which would achieve the substantial structural andarchitectural appearance characteristic of wood roofing shingles. Forexample,

the prior art suggests that an asphalt shingle may be endowed with amassive ornamental effect by securing an additional strip beneath theclosely spaced tabs of a conventional shingle. However, the structurewhich is obtained, although massive, still provides only the re gular,uniform butt edge profile and surface contour which denotes the commonasphalt shingle. It has also been proposed that an asphalt shingle beconstructed with a plurality of tongues, the upper ends of which arefree and the lower ends of which are integral with the body of theshingle. A strip is placed behind the body of the shingle but in frontof the tongues which have been fastened to the deck. Such structureprovides only a single thickness, uniform butt edge profile and regular,insignificant discontinuities in the surface contour.

In short, the appearance of the prior art asphalt shingle indicated itslower cost. Manufacturers of asphalt shingles have long recognized theseproblems and have sought to improve the appearance of asphalt shinglesby producing them in many colors and by varying the configuration of thetabs. Attempts have also been made to produce irregular surface contourswhich would give the shingle a bulkier appearance but these 'effortshave failed. The goal of producing an inexpensive asphalt shingle whichhad the physical appearance of the more expensive shingle has until noweluded those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a compositeasphaltimpregnated felt roofing shingle comprising a rectangular sheethaving a headlap portion and a butt portion. The butt portion is dividedinto a series of spaced apart tabs. An elongated strip which issubstantially the same length and preferably substantially the samethickness as the sheet (though it may be appreciably thicker or thinner)and substantially the same width as the height of the butt portion issecured to the butt portion in a position underlying at least one of thetabs. One embodiment of the present invention contemplates interweavingthe strip with successive closely-spaced tabs. A second embodimentcontemplates a sheet in which the tabs are spaced apart from each otherat a distance approximating their width and the strip is secured to thesheet in a position underlying the tabs and filling the spacestherebetween.

A method for manufacturing the composite shingle of the secondembodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of providing arectangular sheet of a length at least equal to that of the finishedshingle and a width equal to twice the headlap portion plus the heightof the butt portion of the finished shingle. The rectangular sheet isthen divided along a predetermined path to obtain two complementarysegments. Each segment has a headlap portion and a butt portion whichincludes a series of tabs extending from the headlap portion and beingspaced apart from each other at a distance approximating their widths.Finally, an elongated rectangular strip of substantial thickness is se'cured to the butt portion of each segment in a position underlying thetabs and filling the spaces therebetween. The underlying strip has aboutthe same length as the segment and a width about equal to the height ofthe butt portion.

The composite shingle of the present invention, and particularly theshingle of the second embodiment, presents numerous significantadvantages over conventional asphalt shingles. The unique structure ofthe shingle of the second embodiment enables the achievement of a roofcovering which presents an irregular, bulky butt edge profile andsurface contour which compares favorably to the substantial and imposingarchitectural appearance of more expensive roofing materials. Of equalimportance, the novel underlying concept of the shingle of the secondembodiment enables substantial savings in time and labor uponinstallation as well as a significant decrease in wastage of material.Unlike the conventional asphalt shingle, the shingle of the secondembodiment is structured for application in an irregular manner. Courseafter course may be installed without the necessity of continualadjustment to obtain proper alignment of cutouts. Dormers and chimneyslikewise no longer present a problem because the tedious andtimeconsuming process of alignment and matching is unnecessary.

In contrast to the material wastage which necessarily resulted whenconventional shingles were trimmed at the rake edge of a roof deck,fractional portions of the present shingle are readily usable in othercourses without prior trimming. Finally, the unique method of making theshingle of the second embodiment enables the achievement of this novelstructure at the lowest possible cost since no scrap whatever isproduced.

The tabs of the shingles of both embodiments may be of varying widths,and the sheet and strip colors may be selected so as to be complementaryor contrasting with sharp lines of demarcation between the variouscolors. Finally, by selection of granules of differing sizes and shapesfor the butt portion and the strip respectively, controlled changes insurface color and texture may be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneembodiment of the present shingle;

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the sheet portion of the shingle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the strip portion of the shingle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentshingle;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the headlap-butt portion of the shingle ofFIG. 2 prior to assembly;

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the elongated rectangular strip portion of theshingle of FIG. 2 prior to assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a section of roof laid with FIG. 1shingles;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a section of roof laid with FIG. 2shingles;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a sheet from which segments of theshingle of FIG. 2 are obtained; and

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the sheet of FIG. 5A which has beendivided into two complementary segments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of thepresent invention, as shown in FIGS. l-lB, is a composite roofingshingle comprising a rectangular sheet 11 of asphaltimpregnated andcoated cellulosic felt or other suitable material. The rectangular sheet11 includes a headlap portion 12 and a butt portion 13 which is dividedinto a series of spaced-apart tabs 14. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, thetabs 14 are quite closely spaced and the spaces extend continuously fromthe headlap portion 12 to the exposed longitudinal marginal edge 13a ofthe butt portion 13. The tabs 14 may be of equal or of varying widthsand of rectangular, trapezoidal or other desired shape. It is preferred,however, that the central tab be of substantial width so that it willunderlie the abutting side edges of adjoining shingles in the adjacentoverlying course when the shingles are installed in the usual manner ofoffsetting successive courses a distance approximately one-half thelength of a shingle as shown in FIG. 3. The weather surface of sheet 11is coated with mineral granules 15 which are available in a largevariety of colors and in different size gradings.

As is the usual practice in the manufacture of asphalt roofing inshingles, the height of the unexposed portion, when applied, is abouttwo inches greater than the height of the exposed portion. Thisconstruction provides for proper drainage of moisture that may enter thecracks between abutting shingles 10. The moisture will then contact theheadlap portion of the subjacent shingle and drain properly rather thanseeping over the marginal edge of the headlap portion of the subjacentshingle.

An elongated strip 16, also of asphalt impregnated and coated felt orsuitable weather-proofed material, is of substantial thickness, ofsubstantially the same length as the sheet 11 and of substantially thesame width as the height of the butt portion 13 of the sheet 11.Although in normal practice the sheet 11 and strip 16 will besubstantially equal in thickness, it is contemplated that the sheet 11may be made thicker than the strip 16 or that the strip 16 may bethicker than the sheet 11 to achieve a greater variance in surface andbutt edge contour. As shown in FIG. 1, the strip 16 is interwoven withsuccessive tabs 14 of the butt portion 13 and is secured thereto by anasphalt adhesive or other suitable means. A longitudinal marginal edge16a coincides with the exposed longitudinal marginal edge 13a of thebutt portion 13. The strip 16 also is coated on its weather surface withmineral granules l7, allowing selection of the sheet 11 and the strip 16colors either to complement or to contrast.

The shingle of the first embodiment has a butt por- I tion thicknesstwice that of its headlap portion, the butt portion being of irregularsurface contour because of the interweaving of the strip and the tabs.In the FIG.

1 embodiment there are small spaces 18 where the strip 16 abuts theheadlap portion 11 between the successive tabs 14. Therefore, it isimportant to install each course of shingles so that the lower edge ofthe butt portions of an upper course slightly overlap the upper part ofthe butt portions of the subjacent course to prevent direct seepage ofrain water or other moisture through the spaces 18. Furthermore,arranging a large tab of an underlying shingle directly below theinterstice between abutting shingles of an overlying course assures thatwater which enters the interstice between the abutting shingles willdrain over the surface of the underlying tab and not penetrate theunderlying shingle where the strip abuts the headlap portion.

A composite shingle 20 of the second embodiment of the presentinvention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-28, comprises a generallyrectangular sheet 21 of asphaltimpregnated cellulosic felt or othersuitable weatherproofed material which includes a headlap portion 22 anda butt portion 23. The butt portion 23 is divided into a series ofspaced-apart tabs 24 which are integral with and extend from the headlapportion 22. The tabs 24 are spaced apart from each other at a distanceapproximating their width and the spaces which separate the tabs 24extend continuously from the headlap portion 22 to the exposedlongitudinal marginal edge 230 the butt portion 23. In general, theaggregate width of tabs 24 is approximately equal to the aggregate widthof the spaces therebetween. The tabs 24 may be of equal or of differentwidths and of rectangular, trapezoidal or other desired shape and as inthe case of FIG. I embodiment, the weather surface of sheet 21 is coatedwith colored mineral granules 25.

An elongated strip 26, also of suitable weatherproofed material, isusually the same type of material as the sheet 21, and is coated on itsweather surface with colored mineral granules. The strip 26 has aboutthe same length and thickness as the sheet 21 but is preferably ofslightly greater width (say about one inch wider) than the height of thebutt portion 23 of the sheet 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the strip 26 issecured to the sheet 21 in a position underlying the tabs 24 and fillingthe spaces therebetween. At least a portion of a lower longitudinalmarginal edge 28a of the strip 26 coincides with the exposedlongitudinal marginal edge 23a of the butt portion 23. Preferably, alower marginal edge 27 of the headlap portion 22 slightly overlaps anupper marginal edge 28b of the strip 26 and is secured thereto byasphaltic adhesive or other suitable means to ensure a watertight sealbetween the sheet 21 and the strip 26. Each tab 24 is also secured tothe strip 26 by adhesive or other suitable means.

This construction provides a shingle having a butt portion of irregularsurface contour, for it has a double thickness where the strip 26underlies a tab 24 and only a single thickness in the portions betweentabs 24. Additionally, one transverse marginal edge 23b of the buttportion 23 is of single thickness as defined by a transverse marginaledge of the underlying strip 26, and the opposite transverse marginaledge 230 of the butt portion 23 is of double thickness as defined by thecoincidence of a transverse edge of a tab 24 and the other transversemarginal edge of the strip 26.

As in the case of the FIG. 1 embodiment, sheet 21 and strip 26 colorsmay be complementary or contrasting as desired.

made from one larger piece which is equal in length to the sheets butwider by a dimension equal to the height of a headlap portion. When thelarger piece is divided into two sheets the tabs of one sheet are formedfrom the spaces between the tabs of the other sheet. Thus, the amount ofmaterial necessary to obtain the advantages of the present shingle isnot much greater than the amount required to make a prior art shingle.

Otherwise stated, the shingle of the second embodiment is manufacturedfrom a rectangular asphaltimpregnated sheet 40 shown in FIG. 5A. Therectangular sheet 40 is of a length 41 at least equal to that of afinished shingle 20 and is of a width 42 equal to twice the height ofthe headlap portion 22 plus the height of the butt portion 23 of afinished shingle 20. The rectangular sheet 40 is divided along apredetermined unidimensional path 44 to obtain two complementarysegments 40a, 40b as shown best in FIG. 5B. The aggregate surface areaof the complementary segments 40a,

40b is substantially equal to the surface area of the rectangular sheet40, there being no unusable scrap material left over. Each segment 40a,40b corresponds structurally and functionally to the sheet 21,previously described and illustrated in FIG. 2A. One terminus 45 of thepredetermined path 44 is a first locus on a first transverse marginaledge 46 of the rectangular sheet 40 which is displaced from a firstlongitudinal marginal edge 47 at a distance equal to the height of theheadlap portion 22 of a finished shingle 20. The other terminus 48 is asecond locus on a second transverse marginal edge 49 of the rectangularsheet 40, which is displaced from a second longitudinal marginal edge 51at a distance equal to the height of the headlap portion 22 of afinished shingle 20.

An elongated rectangular strip corresponding structurally andfunctionally to strip 26 previously described and illustrated in FIG. 2Bis secured to the butt portion of each segment 40a, 40b in a positionunderlying the tabs and filling the spaces therebetween, a longitudinalmarginal edge of the strip coinciding with the exposed longitudinalmarginal edge of the butt portion.

As seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shingles of the present invention,when installed, are substantial and attractive in appearance. FIG. 3illustrates a roof of I FIG. 1 shingles which, because of theinterweaving of the strip with the tabs, normally has a butt edgethickness substantially twice that of roofs of prior art shingles. Theinterweaving also produces an irregular roofing surface contour.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4 which illustrates a roof covered with aplurality of successive offset courses of rectangular composite shinglesaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the single thickness transversemarginal edge of the butt portion of each shingle of a given courseabuts the double thickness transverse marginal edge of the adjacentshingle of that course. Furthermore, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 4,the shingles of a course 52 are offset from the shingles of animmediately subjacent course 53 by a first longitudinal distance and theshingles of course 53 are, in turn, offset from the shingles of animmediately subjacent course 54 by a second longitudinal distance, thefirst and second longitudinal distances being unequal to each other. Infact, the respective courses of shingles of the FIG. 2 embodiment,unlike conventional shingles, may be offset from each other at anydistance less than the length of a shingle and such distance may bevaried at random without adversely affecting the quality and appearanceof the ultimate roof covering. Variations of surface contour on a roofof the present shingles are particularly evident in FIG. 4 wherein theexposed lower edges of the butt portion of successive courses are of athickness equal to the single (at 31), double (at 32) and triple (at 33)thickness of the granule-covered sheet material of which the shingle ismade, each variation in thickness being evident in substantial areas ofthe roof.

The shingles of the present invention are particularly well suited foruse with the self-sealing adhesives which are well known in the art.Groups of adhesive spots may be employed on the headlap portion of thepresen shingle immediately adjacent the butt portion to adhere the buttportions of the shingles of the adjacent overlying course thereto. Thisis possible because the courses of shingles overlie each other in flushcontact even though their exposed surfaces are irregular.

I claim:

1. A composite asphalt-impregnated felt roofing shingle comprising arectangular sheet having a headlap portion and a butt portion, the buttportion comprising a series of tabs separated by spaces extendingcontinuously from the headlap portion to the exposed edge of the buttportion; and an elongated rectangular strip of substantial thicknesshaving substantially the same length as the sheet and a widthsubstantially equal to the height of the butt portion, the strip beinginterwoven with successive tabs, a longitudinal marginal edge of thestrip coinciding with the exposed longitudinal marginal edge of the buttportion.

2. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 1 wherein the stripand the sheet are substantially equal in thickness.

3. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 1 wherein the tabs areof varying widths.

4. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 1 wherein the sheetand the strip are coated with mineral granules.

5. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 4 wherein the granulesof the sheet differ in color from the granules of the strip.

6. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 4 wherein the granulesof the sheet differ in size from the granules of the strip.

7. A roof covering comprising a plurality of successive courses ofasphalt impregnated felt roofing shingles, the shingles of each coursebeing laid side-by-side, each course being offset from the adjacentcourses by approximately one-half the length of a shingle, and eachshingle comprising a rectangular sheet having a headlap portion and abutt portion, the butt portion comprising a series of tabs separated byspaces extending continuously from the headlap portion to exposed edgeof the butt portion; and an elongated rectangular strip havingsubstantially the same length and approximately the same thickness asthe sheet and a width substantially equal to the height of the buttportion, the strip being interwoven with successive tabs, a longitudinalmarginal edge of the strip coinciding with the exposed longitudinalmarginal edge of the butt portion; the exposed edges of the buttportions of successive courses having a thickness substantially twicethat of the headlap portions.

8. A roof covering according to claim 7 wherein a tab of each shingle ina given course underlies the interstices between abutting shingles ofthe adjacent overlying course, the tab being of sufficient width toprevent penetration through to the underlying shingles of moisture whichmay seep through the interstices.

9. A composite asphalt-impregnated felt roofing shingle comprising asheet of substantial thickness having a rectangular headlap portion anda butt portion which includes a series of tabs integral with andextending from the headlap portion, the tabs being spaced apart fromeach other at varying substantial distances, at least some of the tabsand some of the spaces between the tabs differing from each other inwidth and the aggregate width of the tabs being approximately equal tothe aggregate width of the spaces which separate the tabs, and both thetabs and the spaces which separate the tabs extending continuously fromthe headlap portion to the exposed longitudinal marginal edge of thebutt portion; and an elongated rectangular strip of substantialthickness having about the same length as the sheet and a width aboutequal to the height of the butt portion, the strip being secured to thesheet in a posi' tion underlying at least a lower marginal edge of theheadlap portion and a substantial portion of the tabs and the spacestherebetween; a plurality of the shinglesbeing capable of constituting aroof covering wherein courses of shingles are laid side-by-side and theshingles of immediately adjacent courses are capable of being variablyoffset from each other at random distances less then the length of anindividual shingle.

10. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 9 wherein onetransverse marginal edge of the butt portion is of single thickness asdefined by a transverse marginal edge of the underlying strip and theopposite transverse marginal edge of the butt portion is of doublethickness as defined by the coincidence of a transverse edge of a taband the other transverse marginal edge of the strip.

11. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 9 wherein a marginaledge of the strip underlies a marginal edge of the headlap portion, theunderlying portion of the strip being secured in a watertight manner tothe headlap portion.

12. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 9 wherein the stripand the sheet are substantially equal in thickness.

13. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 9 wherein the tabsare of varying widths.

14. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 9 wherein the sheetand the strip are coated with min-' eral granules.

15. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 14 wherein thegranules of the sheet differ in color from the granules of the strip.

16. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 10 wherein thegranules of the sheet differ in size from the granules of the strip.

17. A roof covering comprising a plurality of successive courses ofasphalt-impregnated felt roofing shingles of substantial thickness, theshingles of each course being laid side-by-side and capable of beingvariably offset from the shingles of immediately adjacent courses atrandom distances less than the length of an individual shingle; eachshingle having a rectangular headlap portion and a butt portion whichincludes a series of tabs integral with and extending from the headlapportion, the tabs of each shingle being spaced apart from each other atvarying substantial distances, at least some of the tabs and some of thespaces between the tabs differing from each other in width and theaggregate width of the tabs being approximately equal to the aggregatewidth of the spaces which separate the tabs, and both the tabs and thespaces which separate the tabs extending continuously from the headlapportion to the exposed longitudinal marginal edge of the butt portion;and an elongated rectangular strip of substantial thickness having aboutthe same length as the sheet and a width about equal to the height ofthe butt portion, the strip being secured to the sheet in a positionunderlying at least a lower marginal edge of the headlap portion and asubstantial portion of the tabs and the spaces therebetween; the exposededge of the butt portion of successive courses of shingles being ofsingle thickness in some random substantial areas of the roof, of doublethickness in other random substantial areas of the roof and of triplethickness in still other random substantial areas of the roof.

18. A roof covering according to claim 17 wherein the shingles of agiven course are offset from the shingles of an immediately subjacentcourse by a first longitudinal distance and the shingles of anothergiven course are offset from the shingles of an immediately subjacentcourse by a second longitudinal distance, the first and secondlongitudinal distances being unequal to each other and less than thelength of a shingle.

19. A roof covering according to claim 17 wherein the underlying stripportions of the shingles of a first course are in flush contact with andadhesively bonded to the headlap portions of the shingles of animmediately subjacent second course.

20. Paired, individual appliable, composite asphaltimpregnated feltroofing shingles, each shingle comprising a sheet of substantialthickness having a rectangular headlap portion and a butt portion whichincludes a series of spaced-apart tabs integral with and extending fromthe headlap portion, each tab and each space between the tabs of eachshingle of the pair being quadrilateral and extending continuously fromthe headlap portion to the exposed longitudinal marginal edge of thebutt portion, at least some of the tabs and some of the spaces beingdissimilar from each other in width, and the tabs of the first shingleof each pair conforming in size and shape to the spaces between the tabsof the second shingle of the pair and the tabs of the second shingleconforming in size and shape to the spaces between the tabs of the firstshingle; and an elongated rectangular strip of substantial thicknesshaving about the same length as the sheet and a width about equal to theheight of the butt portion, the strip being secured to the sheet in aposition underlying at least a lower marginal edge of the headlapportion and a substantial portion of the tabs and the spacestherebetween; a plurality of the shingles being capable of constitutinga roof covering wherein courses of shingles are laid sideby-side and theshingles of immediately adjacent courses are capable of being variablyoffset from each other at random distances less than the length of anindividual shingle and each shingle of each pair capable of beingrandomly arranged with respect to each other and with respect to theshingles of each other pair of shingles applied to the roof.

21. Paired individually applicable composite roofing shingles accordingto claim 20 wherein at least one transverse marginal edge of at leastone tab is skewed with respect to a transverse marginal edge of therectangular sheet.

22. A roof covering comprising a plurality of successive courses ofpaired, individually appliable, rectangular asphaltimpregnated feltroofing shingles of substantial thickness, the shingles of each coursebeing laid side-by-side and capable of being variably offset from theshingles of immediately adjacent courses at random distances less thanthe length of an individual shingle and each shingle of each paircapable of being randomly arranged with respect to each other and withrespect to the shingles of each other pair of shingles applied to theroof; each shingle having a rectangular headlap portion and a buttportion which includes a series of spaced-apart tabs integral with andextending from the headlap portion, each tab and each space between thetabs of each shingle of each pair being quadrilateral and extendingcontinuously from the headlap portion to the exposed longitudinalmarginal edge of the butt portion, at least some of the tabs and some ofthe spaces being dissimilar from each other in width, and the tabs ofeach shingle of each pair conforming in size and shape to the spacesbetween the tabs of the other shingle of each pair; and an elongatedrectangular strip of substantial thickness having about the same lengthas the sheet and a width about equal to the height of the butt portion,the strip being secured to the sheet in a position underlying at least alower marginal edge of the headlap portion and a substantial portion ofthe tabs and the spaces therebetween; the exposed edge of the buttportion of successive courses of shingles being of single thickness insome random substantial areas of the roof, of double thickness in otherrandom substantial areas of the roof and of triple thickness in stillother random substantial areas of the roof.

1. A composite asphalt-impregnated felt roofing shingle comprising arectangular sheet having a headlap portion and a butt portion, the buttportion comprising a series of tabs separated by spaces extendingcontinuously from the headlap portion to the exposed edge of the buttportion; and an elongated rectangular strip of substantial thicknesshaving substantially the same length as the sheet and a widthsubstantially equal to the height of the butt portion, the strip beinginterwoven with successive tabs, a longitudinal marginal edge of thestrip coinciding with the exposed longitudinal marginal edge of the buttportion.
 2. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 1 wherein thestrip and the sheet are substantially equal in thickness.
 3. A compositeroofing shingle according to claim 1 wherein the tabs are of varyingwidths.
 4. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 1 wherein thesheet and the strip are coated with mineral granules.
 5. A compositeroofing shingle according to claim 4 wherein the granules of the sheetdiffer in color from the granules of the strip.
 6. A composite roofingshingle according to claim 4 wherein the granules of the sheet differ insize from the granules of the strip.
 7. A roof covering comprising aplurality of successive courses of asphalt impregnated felt roofingshingles, the shingles of each course being laid side-by-side, eachcourse being offset from the adjacent courses by approximately one-halfthe length of a shingle, and each shingle comprising a rectangular sheethaving a headlap portion and a butt portion, the butt portion comprisinga series of tabs separated by spaces extending continuously from theheadlap portion to exposed edge of the butt portion; and an elongatedrectangular strip having substantially the same length and approximatelythe same thickness as the sheet and a width substantially equal to theheight of the butt portion, the strip being interwoven with successivetabs, a longitudinal marginal edge of the strip coinciding with theexposed longitudinal marginal edge of the butt portion; the exposededges of the butt portions of successIve courses having a thicknesssubstantially twice that of the headlap portions.
 8. A roof coveringaccording to claim 7 wherein a tab of each shingle in a given courseunderlies the interstices between abutting shingles of the adjacentoverlying course, the tab being of sufficient width to preventpenetration through to the underlying shingles of moisture which mayseep through the interstices.
 9. A composite asphalt-impregnated feltroofing shingle comprising a sheet of substantial thickness having arectangular headlap portion and a butt portion which includes a seriesof tabs integral with and extending from the headlap portion, the tabsbeing spaced apart from each other at varying substantial distances, atleast some of the tabs and some of the spaces between the tabs differingfrom each other in width and the aggregate width of the tabs beingapproximately equal to the aggregate width of the spaces which separatethe tabs, and both the tabs and the spaces which separate the tabsextending continuously from the headlap portion to the exposedlongitudinal marginal edge of the butt portion; and an elongatedrectangular strip of substantial thickness having about the same lengthas the sheet and a width about equal to the height of the butt portion,the strip being secured to the sheet in a position underlying at least alower marginal edge of the headlap portion and a substantial portion ofthe tabs and the spaces therebetween; a plurality of the shingles beingcapable of constituting a roof covering wherein courses of shingles arelaid side-by-side and the shingles of immediately adjacent courses arecapable of being variably offset from each other at random distancesless then the length of an individual shingle.
 10. A composite roofingshingle according to claim 9 wherein one transverse marginal edge of thebutt portion is of single thickness as defined by a transverse marginaledge of the underlying strip and the opposite transverse marginal edgeof the butt portion is of double thickness as defined by the coincidenceof a transverse edge of a tab and the other transverse marginal edge ofthe strip.
 11. A composite roofing shingle according to claim 9 whereina marginal edge of the strip underlies a marginal edge of the headlapportion, the underlying portion of the strip being secured in awatertight manner to the headlap portion.
 12. A composite roofingshingle according to claim 9 wherein the strip and the sheet aresubstantially equal in thickness.
 13. A composite roofing shingleaccording to claim 9 wherein the tabs are of varying widths.
 14. Acomposite roofing shingle according to claim 9 wherein the sheet and thestrip are coated with mineral granules.
 15. A composite roofing shingleaccording to claim 14 wherein the granules of the sheet differ in colorfrom the granules of the strip.
 16. A composite roofing shingleaccording to claim 10 wherein the granules of the sheet differ in sizefrom the granules of the strip.
 17. A roof covering comprising aplurality of successive courses of asphalt-impregnated felt roofingshingles of substantial thickness, the shingles of each course beinglaid side-by-side and capable of being variably offset from the shinglesof immediately adjacent courses at random distances less than the lengthof an individual shingle; each shingle having a rectangular headlapportion and a butt portion which includes a series of tabs integral withand extending from the headlap portion, the tabs of each shingle beingspaced apart from each other at varying substantial distances, at leastsome of the tabs and some of the spaces between the tabs differing fromeach other in width and the aggregate width of the tabs beingapproximately equal to the aggregate width of the spaces which separatethe tabs, and both the tabs and the spaces which separate the tabsextending continuously from the headlap portion to the exposedlongitudinal marginal edge of the butt portion; and an elongatedrectangular strip of suBstantial thickness having about the same lengthas the sheet and a width about equal to the height of the butt portion,the strip being secured to the sheet in a position underlying at least alower marginal edge of the headlap portion and a substantial portion ofthe tabs and the spaces therebetween; the exposed edge of the buttportion of successive courses of shingles being of single thickness insome random substantial areas of the roof, of double thickness in otherrandom substantial areas of the roof and of triple thickness in stillother random substantial areas of the roof.
 18. A roof coveringaccording to claim 17 wherein the shingles of a given course are offsetfrom the shingles of an immediately subjacent course by a firstlongitudinal distance and the shingles of another given course areoffset from the shingles of an immediately subjacent course by a secondlongitudinal distance, the first and second longitudinal distances beingunequal to each other and less than the length of a shingle.
 19. A roofcovering according to claim 17 wherein the underlying strip portions ofthe shingles of a first course are in flush contact with and adhesivelybonded to the headlap portions of the shingles of an immediatelysubjacent second course.
 20. Paired, individual appliable, compositeasphalt-impregnated felt roofing shingles, each shingle comprising asheet of substantial thickness having a rectangular headlap portion anda butt portion which includes a series of spaced-apart tabs integralwith and extending from the headlap portion, each tab and each spacebetween the tabs of each shingle of the pair being quadrilateral andextending continuously from the headlap portion to the exposedlongitudinal marginal edge of the butt portion, at least some of thetabs and some of the spaces being dissimilar from each other in width,and the tabs of the first shingle of each pair conforming in size andshape to the spaces between the tabs of the second shingle of the pairand the tabs of the second shingle conforming in size and shape to thespaces between the tabs of the first shingle; and an elongatedrectangular strip of substantial thickness having about the same lengthas the sheet and a width about equal to the height of the butt portion,the strip being secured to the sheet in a position underlying at least alower marginal edge of the headlap portion and a substantial portion ofthe tabs and the spaces therebetween; a plurality of the shingles beingcapable of constituting a roof covering wherein courses of shingles arelaid side-by-side and the shingles of immediately adjacent courses arecapable of being variably offset from each other at random distancesless than the length of an individual shingle and each shingle of eachpair capable of being randomly arranged with respect to each other andwith respect to the shingles of each other pair of shingles applied tothe roof.
 21. Paired individually applicable composite roofing shinglesaccording to claim 20 wherein at least one transverse marginal edge ofat least one tab is skewed with respect to a transverse marginal edge ofthe rectangular sheet.
 22. A roof covering comprising a plurality ofsuccessive courses of paired, individually appliable, rectangularasphaltimpregnated felt roofing shingles of substantial thickness, theshingles of each course being laid side-by-side and capable of beingvariably offset from the shingles of immediately adjacent courses atrandom distances less than the length of an individual shingle and eachshingle of each pair capable of being randomly arranged with respect toeach other and with respect to the shingles of each other pair ofshingles applied to the roof; each shingle having a rectangular headlapportion and a butt portion which includes a series of spaced-apart tabsintegral with and extending from the headlap portion, each tab and eachspace between the tabs of each shingle of each pair being quadrilateraland extending continuously from the headlaP portion to the exposedlongitudinal marginal edge of the butt portion, at least some of thetabs and some of the spaces being dissimilar from each other in width,and the tabs of each shingle of each pair conforming in size and shapeto the spaces between the tabs of the other shingle of each pair; and anelongated rectangular strip of substantial thickness having about thesame length as the sheet and a width about equal to the height of thebutt portion, the strip being secured to the sheet in a positionunderlying at least a lower marginal edge of the headlap portion and asubstantial portion of the tabs and the spaces therebetween; the exposededge of the butt portion of successive courses of shingles being ofsingle thickness in some random substantial areas of the roof, of doublethickness in other random substantial areas of the roof and of triplethickness in still other random substantial areas of the roof.